Tag Archives: press

Shop for cheap books & more at ‘Friends of Library’ sale

The West Sacramento Friends of the Library will hold a summer book sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sat., July 19, and from 10-3 on Sunday, July 20, at the library, 1212 Merkley Avenue.

Hardback books for $1, paperbacks for 50 cents, kids’ books for 10-25 cents, along with special-priced books, CDs, movies and puzzles. On Sunday, prices drop to $3 per bag.

For information or to volunteer, call 375-6465 ext. 4 or email wsfol99@yahoo.com.

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West Sac looks at tightening zoning rules for gun shops

NEWS-LEDGER — JULY 9, 2014 —

TWO GUN BUSINESS OWNERS SAY PROPOSED RULES ARE ACCEPTABLE —

By Steve MarschkeNews-Ledger Editor

West Sacramento’s planning commission on June 19 approved a tightening of the permitted locations for gun shops in the city. But those restrictions were made with the approval of a couple of gun-related local business owners.

As David Tilley, the city’s principal planner, told the commission members:

“We are proposing that they become a ‘conditional use’ in our business park, limited industrial, light industrial and heavy industrial zones, and that we take them out of our community commercial, central business district, waterfront and mixed-use zones.”

(Comments here are taken from the City of West Sacramento’s video of the meeting.)

As a “conditional use” in any of these zones, gun and ammo sales would need city approval on a case-by-case basis.

Lieutenant David Delaini of the West Sacramento Police Department expressed his support for the changes.

One of two people in the local firearms trade to speak at the public hearing was Brent Dawson, who described himself as a disabled veteran and business owner of American Tactical Outfitters. That business was formerly on Northport Drive in an industrial part of West Sacramento.

Dawson said he had used to operate under the rules of a firearms “broker” – with with no gun inventory on hand. He’s now seeking a larger location that would, in part, sell guns it kept in stock. Dawson said the new zoning seems to give him enough real estate options to find such a location.

State and federal governments already “regulate all aspects” of firearm sales, said Dawson, before voicing his support for the new zoning rules.

Dawson raised concerns that another West Sacramento business – Aim U Nation, in an industrial part of Southport – may not be in compliance with city rules. As a stand-alone retail shop that sells guns, ammo and other things, the business may not qualify as one that sells firearms only as an “accessory use” as listed.

Ken Garrett, an owner of Aim U Nation and the separate All Phase Security business, was on hand at the meeting. He said that he, too, supported the proposed zoning changes. He told the commission that his business “may not be in compliance,” but “we’re willing to take steps now.”

Planner David Tilley said the new zoning rules may clarify things and “provide a path” for Aim U Nation to solve any local licensing trouble.

Several planning commission members had comments on the issue before they voted.

Commissioner Russ Leibig gave an “aside” about Aim U Nation:

“I have a hard time seeing (firearms) as an accessory use today,” he said. “Especially with the ad that’s in even our local paper today, the primary use seems to be firearms sales, ammunition sales, and then training. . . Moving forward, maybe we can get them into this permitting process and in compliance.”

Commission member Jeremy Olsen wondered if the zoning was too strict – never allowing firearms sales as an automatically “permitted” use, and always requiring city approval of a “conditional use” permit:

“There’s no zoning designation here where it’s not ‘conditional,’” said Olsen. “If a Cabela’s or large retailer was looking to site a retail location in our town, I’m afraid they would look at it and get the wrong idea.”

Colleague Charlie Moore talked about Aim U Nation’s possible need to get into city compliance, saying “I’m just trying to make sure we’re not putting somebody out of business.”

Tilley assured Olsen that only the gun-related portion of a Cabala’s store would need a conditional use permit, and told Moore staff was communicating with Aim U Nation and trying to help that business work within the rules.

The commission approved the proposed zoning changes, and the matter will now head to the city council.

If you comment, we may share your comment in the News-Ledger newspaper.

Do you like what you see here?

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You can even try it for free for two months if you live in West Sacramento. Just send your name and mailing address to FreeTrial@news-ledger.com (offer open to new subscribers in West Sacramento ZIP codes 95691 & 95605).

Copyright News-Ledger 2014

‘Horror Campout’ irks some Southport residents

NEWS-LEDGER ONLINE — JULY 17, 2014 —

Not all neighbors of the “Great Horror Campout” in rural Southport this week are happy.

The horror-themed event is selling tickets for people to camp on Burrows Road (the property includes a popular annual pumpkin patch and farm) and experience ghoulish frights on Friday and Saturday.

Some locals protested at last night’s city council meeting.

More in next week’s News-Ledger.

If you comment, we may borrow your comment for the newspaper.

Copyright News-Ledger 2014

Over half a million to West Sac grads

FROM THE NEWS-LEDGER — JULY 16, 2014 —

The counseling department at River City High School reports that generous donors passed out a total of $565,100 in scholarship money to deserving local grads this year. The awards were announced at a May 28 school ceremony.

A single winner, Sufia Mehmood, received at least $40,000 in scholarships – as well as a direct full-ride acceptance to Harvard University. She had a 4.0+ grade point average, a strong background in math and science and a history of volunteer work.

Scholarship money came from a couple dozen sources as diverse as the Marines, the local teachers’ union, the Kiwanis, Rotary, Soroptimist and Elks organizations, and a fund set up by volunteers who recycle cans and bottles at the RCHS campus and convert them to scholarship cash.